Third time lucky for Young Farmer

Sully Alsop
will be representing the East Coast in the ANZ Young Farmer
Contest Grand Final.

Mr Alsop was the top competitor
over the weekend in the East Coast Regional Final in
Hastings at the Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds and Lindisfarne
College.

“I’m relieved, more than anything,”
commented Mr Alsop after the big win on Saturday; he placed
second and third in the past two Regional Finals.

Mr
Alsop went home with a prize pack worth over $10,000
including cash, scholarships and products and services from
ANZ, Lincoln University, Ravensdown, AGMARDT, Silver Fern
Farms, Honda, Husqvarna and Vodafone.

Second place
went to Bernie Cox, South Wairarapa Club, followed by James
Greer, Tikokino Club, and Richard Cameron, South Wairarapa
Club, in fourth. Mr Alsop also won three out of four of
the challenges: Lincoln University Agri-growth, AGMARDT
Agri-business and Ravensdown Agri-skills.

Mr Greer
took out the Silver Fern Farms Agri-sports Challenge.

The day started out well for Mr Alsop with a strong lead
after a complex written exam, but it was the evening show
question rounds that proved the most challenging.

“It’s really hitting home how much studying is ahead
of me,” he said.

Mr Alsop commended the event
organisers for their efforts; “They did a really good job
of it this year. It was the best combination of practical
challenges that I’ve seen at a Regional Final,” he said.

Some of the challenges included erecting a bird
scarer, walking on a barrel, hauling cement blocks on a sled
they made out of branches and a fire safety module.

In preparation for the contest Mr Alsop relied on work
colleagues and friends to study and improve his skills.
“The contest pushes me to make the time to learn extra
skills and theory that I don't already have,” he
commented.

Mr Alsop belongs to the Wairarapa Club
and said he had a great contingent of club members out
supporting him on the day.

The thirty year old works
as an agribusiness consultant based out of Masterton and
owns a farming business with his wife, Katie. He also holds
a Bachelor of Applied Science in Farm Management.

Mr
Alsop is the sixth Grand Finalist to be named and he will be
joining six other Young Farmers from across the country 3-5
July in Christchurch at the Grand Final where over $300,000
in prizes is up for grabs.

Be sure to tune in to
‘Road To The Young Farmer Final’. The series covers each
of the seven Regional Finals and follows the seven top
achievers who make it through to the Grand Final. Catch all
the action starting Sunday 18th May, 9.30pm exclusively on
TVNZ Heartland.
Ends

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